Transformative Encounters: Trusting God's Good Plans
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that God's presence is transformative, and one moment with Him can change our lives forever. Our mission is to create environments where people can encounter Jesus and be empowered to advance His kingdom. This is for those who are hungry for more of God, eager to understand their original design, and for those who have yet to know Him. We are favored by God, not because of our actions, but simply because of who we are. His love is unconditional, and He has great plans for each of us.
We discussed the importance of tithing as an act of worship, a demonstration of trust in God. It may not make logical sense, but it is a way to honor Him and show that we put Him first. God desires our hearts to be fully surrendered to Him, trusting that He has good things in store for us.
The journey to God's perfect plan is often filled with battles and doubts. Yet, the Bible reassures us that God is for us, not against us, and He will fight our battles. We are reminded to hold our peace and trust in His timing, even when it seems delayed. God's plans are not always easy, but they are always good.
We are encouraged to delight in the Lord, even when hope seems deferred. Every promise of God proves true, and He protects those who run to Him for help. We must keep our minds set on Him, for He keeps us whole and steady. In the midst of trials, we are called to depend on God and not quit, for He is a sure thing.
Finally, we are reminded that every detail of our lives is worked into something good by God. We are to consider trials as gifts, for they test and strengthen our faith. Our sinful nature has been nailed to the cross, and we are called to live in the freedom and lightness that comes from walking with Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Transformative Presence: One moment in God's presence can change our lives forever. We are called to create environments where people can encounter Jesus and be empowered to advance His kingdom. This is for those who are hungry for more of God and eager to understand their original design. [00:00]
- Tithing as Worship: Tithing is an important aspect of worship, demonstrating trust in God. It may not make logical sense, but it honors Him and shows that we put Him first. God desires our hearts to be fully surrendered to Him, trusting that He has good things in store for us. [59:03]
- Battles and God's Promises: The journey to God's perfect plan is often filled with battles and doubts. Yet, the Bible reassures us that God is for us, not against us, and He will fight our battles. We are reminded to hold our peace and trust in His timing, even when it seems delayed. [01:06:42]
- Delighting in the Lord: We are encouraged to delight in the Lord, even when hope seems deferred. Every promise of God proves true, and He protects those who run to Him for help. We must keep our minds set on Him, for He keeps us whole and steady. [01:12:51]
- Trials as Gifts: Every detail of our lives is worked into something good by God. We are to consider trials as gifts, for they test and strengthen our faith. Our sinful nature has been nailed to the cross, and we are called to live in the freedom and lightness that comes from walking with Jesus. [01:37:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:01:00] - Lingering in His Presence
- [00:03:00] - Favored by God
- [00:05:00] - Invitation to Connect
- [00:07:00] - Importance of Tithing
- [00:10:00] - God's Battle Plans
- [00:12:00] - Trusting God's Timing
- [00:15:00] - Delighting in the Lord
- [00:18:00] - God's Promises
- [00:21:00] - Trials as Gifts
- [00:25:00] - Living in Freedom
- [00:28:00] - Call to Prayer
- [00:30:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 14:14 (The Message) - "God will fight the battle for you. And you, you keep your mouths shut."
2. Psalm 37:4 (New Living Translation) - "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires."
3. James 1:2-4 (The Message) - "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Exodus 14:14 suggest about our role in the battles we face? How does this align with the sermon’s message about trusting God’s timing? [01:06:42]
2. According to Psalm 37:4, what is the relationship between delighting in the Lord and receiving our heart's desires? How was this concept explained in the sermon? [01:12:51]
3. In James 1:2-4, why are trials considered a "sheer gift"? How does this perspective challenge our usual view of difficulties? [01:37:20]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformative power of God's presence? What environments are we encouraged to create for others to encounter Jesus? [00:00:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the instruction in Exodus 14:14 to "keep your mouths shut" be practically applied in situations where we feel the need to defend ourselves or our plans? [01:06:42]
2. What does it mean to "delight in the Lord" in the context of unmet desires or deferred hopes, as discussed in the sermon? [01:12:51]
3. How can viewing trials as gifts, as suggested in James 1:2-4, change our approach to challenges in life? What might this look like in everyday situations? [01:37:20]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of tithing as an act of worship. How does this practice demonstrate trust in God, and why might it not make logical sense? [59:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current battle in your life. How can you apply the principle of Exodus 14:14 to trust God to fight for you while you hold your peace? [01:06:42]
2. Identify an area in your life where hope seems deferred. How can you actively choose to delight in the Lord despite this delay? What practical steps can you take this week? [01:12:51]
3. Think of a recent trial you faced. How did you perceive it at the time, and how might viewing it as a "gift" have changed your response? What can you do differently next time? [01:37:20]
4. Consider your current approach to tithing. How does it reflect your trust in God? If you struggle with this practice, what small step can you take to begin honoring God in this way? [59:03]
5. The sermon encourages creating environments for others to encounter Jesus. What is one way you can contribute to this mission in your community or church? [00:00:00]
6. Reflect on a time when you second-guessed God’s plan for your life. What was the outcome, and how can you strengthen your trust in His timing moving forward? [01:29:13]
7. How can you remind yourself daily of the freedom and lightness that comes from walking with Jesus, especially when facing trials? What specific practice can you incorporate into your routine? [01:39:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing God's Transformative Presence
In the journey of faith, encountering God's presence is a pivotal moment that can redefine our lives. This encounter is not just a fleeting experience but a transformative one that empowers us to advance His kingdom. It is an invitation for those who are hungry for more of God and eager to understand their original design. God's presence is not limited to a specific place or time; it is accessible to all who seek Him with a sincere heart. As we create environments where people can encounter Jesus, we open the door for His transformative power to work in their lives. [00:00]
"And the Lord said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' And he said to him, 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.'" (Exodus 33:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to encounter God's presence and allow Him to transform your life?
Day 2: Tithing as an Act of Worship
Tithing is more than a financial transaction; it is an act of worship that demonstrates our trust in God. It may not always make logical sense, but it is a way to honor Him and show that we prioritize Him above all else. God desires our hearts to be fully surrendered to Him, trusting that He has good things in store for us. By tithing, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that we are stewards of His blessings. This act of worship is a tangible expression of our faith and commitment to putting God first in our lives. [59:03]
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to make tithing a regular and intentional part of your worship, reflecting your trust in God's provision?
Day 3: Trusting God's Promises Amidst Battles
The journey to God's perfect plan is often fraught with battles and doubts. Yet, the Bible reassures us that God is for us, not against us, and He will fight our battles. We are encouraged to hold our peace and trust in His timing, even when it seems delayed. God's plans are not always easy, but they are always good. In moments of uncertainty, we are called to rely on His promises and find strength in His unwavering faithfulness. By trusting in God's timing, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and hope. [01:06:42]
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." (Exodus 14:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's timing and promises, even when the path seems uncertain or delayed?
Day 4: Delighting in the Lord During Deferred Hope
We are encouraged to delight in the Lord, even when hope seems deferred. Every promise of God proves true, and He protects those who run to Him for help. Keeping our minds set on Him ensures that we remain whole and steady, regardless of the circumstances. In times of waiting, we are called to find joy in His presence and trust in His faithfulness. By delighting in the Lord, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and resilience, knowing that He is our refuge and strength. [01:12:51]
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of delight and gratitude in the Lord, even when your hopes and desires seem delayed?
Day 5: Embracing Trials as Gifts
Every detail of our lives is worked into something good by God. We are to consider trials as gifts, for they test and strengthen our faith. Our sinful nature has been nailed to the cross, and we are called to live in the freedom and lightness that comes from walking with Jesus. Embracing trials as opportunities for growth allows us to experience the fullness of God's grace and power in our lives. By viewing challenges as gifts, we can develop a deeper reliance on God and a greater appreciation for His transformative work in us. [01:37:20]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see current challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God?
Quotes
you know sometimes it's nice just to continue to linger in his presence it's always nice to do that not sometimes it's always nice to do that because we know that his presence one moment in his presence it changes our life forever we we're never the same after we encounter the love of jesus we're never the same so when we let things linger it's because he's wanting to do something here in our hearts in the hearts of every single person that's in this building and our heart continues to be to create environments where people can encounter jesus and be empowered to advance the kingdom it's for the hungry it's for people that are hungry for more of god are hungry to linger in his presence are hungry to learn more about their original design who he's created them to be and it's for people that don't know him yet our job is to help people get to know who the son of god is and why he came and he has a plan for each and every single one of you [00:44:38] (66 seconds)
Because God is doing something here. He's doing something in this church. He's doing something in our hearts. He's doing something in this region. And people want, they want him, but they don't always know that they want him. But if they're never invited, how are they ever going to meet him? [00:47:54] (19 seconds)
Your tithe is an important aspect of worship. It shows I trust him. Because for many of us, it doesn't make any logical sense to tithe. Why would I give the Lord, who I can't see face to face, who I don't sit down with and have a conversation with, I don't work for, whatever. It's hard to justify that 10%. But I'm telling you, it's a form of worship. When you give your 10 % full offering as a tithe to the Lord in the Lord's house, it is a blessing to him. It shows that you honor him. It shows that you put him first. And ultimately, it shows that you trust him. [00:48:33] (44 seconds)
But sometimes, oftentimes, most of the time, all the time, it can take forever to get there. For us. Forever for us. It's not forever for him, right? And the path there to God's perfect will, God's perfect plan for your life is forged with battles. It's forged with wars, forged with doubt, more battles, more wars. More doubt, questioning, like, why isn't this happening? Questioning, did I miss God? Am I on the right track? Do I even hear from God at all? All of his plans for us are good, but that doesn't mean they're easy. They are never easy. And I mean ever. Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever easy. [01:03:56] (54 seconds)
So, riddled throughout the Bible, riddled throughout the Bible, all the way, front to back, cover to cover, God reminds us he is for us and not against us, that he has good plans for us, and he tells us he will fight for us. He says that because he knows a life following him for real. The Bible does not come without a fight. It just doesn't come without a fight. But look what Jesus had to go through in order for us to be redeemed. And we think, well, I love Jesus, so I'm going to just coast through life, accomplishing all the good plans he has for me. It just doesn't work that way. I promise, I wish it did. But it doesn't. It doesn't. [01:05:29] (48 seconds)
Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart's desires. Now, here's the deal. It also says somewhere else in the Bible, hope deferred makes the heart sick. So sometimes delighting in the Lord when your hope has been deferred for an extended period of time is difficult. It can take all the strength that you've got to delight yourself in the Lord because nothing around you is going the way you think it should. Nothing around you looks like it's going to pan out. Everything looks like a mess. Everything looks chaotic. Everything looks chaotic. Delight yourself in the Lord anyway, anyway, and he'll give you your heart's desires. [01:12:07] (44 seconds)
People with their minds set on you. You can't keep completely whole. Wow. Think about that. People with their minds set on you. You keep completely whole. People with their minds set on you, Lord, on you, Jesus. You keep completely whole. So when there's fires burning over here, and there's attacks over here, and there's stuff coming behind you, and there's stuff before you, people with their minds set on you, Lord, you keep completely whole. Steady on their feet because they keep at it and don't quit. [01:16:01] (52 seconds)
Consider it a sheer gift, friends. A sheer gift. When tests and challenges come at you from all sides, it doesn't say if tests and challenges come. It says when tests and challenges come. Consider it a sheer gift. We should rejoice. Yay! Look at this gold package of garbage I get to unwrap. It's awesome. It's a test and it's a challenge that's coming at me at all sides because I know that under pressure, my faith life is forced into the open to show its true colors. [01:37:33] (43 seconds)
Lastly, let's remind ourselves that the Bible also says in Galatians 5, 24, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Our sinful nature of doubt, of unbelief, of speaking wrong words, of thinking wrong thoughts, of doing wrong things, all of that has been nailed to the cross and crucified, even if it's something we have to do every day. This is reminding us ever so gently that in our responses, in our thoughts, in our walk on the rocky road of the plan that he has for us, which is leading to something beautiful, that all of those doubts, that come wondering if you're doing the right thing, they've all been nailed to the cross already. So you don't have to hang on to them. [01:39:48] (66 seconds)
We're going to get everybody involved. We're going to believe for miracles, signs, wonders, and power. We're going to believe that Jesus is walking amongst us. We're going to believe that he is for us and not against us, that he will come through for us. And if you're struggling, it's okay to admit it. If you need prayer, come up here. If you need to repent, come up here. Whatever it is you need to do, our prayer team, I'll be up here. Angela will be up here. We are here to pray with you. I don't know who's on prayer team today, but I'm telling you, God is a God of miracles. He's a God of signs and wonders. He's a God that's going to come through for you. He's not left you. He's not forsaken you. He's not going to leave you. He's not going to forsake you. Whatever you're struggling with, you can nail it to the cross today and you can leave here filled with hope. You can leave here filled with belief. You can leave here filled knowing that he loves you, that you're a child of God, that you're called to do something amazing in his name, no matter what, no matter what it looks like, no matter how hard it is. And tomorrow you might be filled with doubts, but you can come back to this moment today. And you can say, no, I'm not going to listen to those doubts. I'm not going to listen to those thoughts because I'm a child of God and I'm blessed and highly favored. [01:41:20] (64 seconds)
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